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Master password - dosn't work!

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Over the years, I've been getting more and more annoyed at having to change my password every 72 days. In fact, it isn't even 72 days, as I'm always asked to redo one or other password. This week I did it again. I went to Outlook, and changed all our passwords, and made double sure that the 72 day box wasn't ticked. However, I still got the messages, so decided to try the Master Password,,,,, and though "that's that" !

It just doesn't work,,,, or it may have stopped a couple of things, but I still get the messages and have to redo the passowords. Even then, I have to enter the master pass twice before anything occurs.

Have I done something wrong, or is there a known fault somewhere ?

We didn't get this at the beginning, so it must have popped into the system somehow ??

Over the years, I've been getting more and more annoyed at having to change my password every 72 days. In fact, it isn't even 72 days, as I'm always asked to redo one or other password. This week I did it again. I went to Outlook, and changed all our passwords, and made double sure that the 72 day box wasn't ticked. However, I still got the messages, so decided to try the Master Password,,,,, and though "that's that" ! It just doesn't work,,,, or it may have stopped a couple of things, but I still get the messages and have to redo the passowords. Even then, I have to enter the master pass twice before anything occurs. Have I done something wrong, or is there a known fault somewhere ? We didn't get this at the beginning, so it must have popped into the system somehow ??

All Replies (6)

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The Thunderbird Master Password is an option to prevent unauthorized access to any saved email account passwords you have in Thunderbird. It has nothing to do with the operation of your email account. All you did is add an extra step and create an additional password to remember.

Thunderbird also has nothing to do with the administration of your email account, it's passwords or their expiration dates. Ask your email provider how to work their system.

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I asked M.S Outlook about it, and they told me (as did T.B some time ago) to check the 72day box. I've done that - no boxes ticked. M.S Outlook then told me, to contact T.B.

If I use my accounts in Outlook alone, I never get the reminders - it's only when using T.B.

The way I read Master Password was that I only needed to input the master at the beginning of each boot up, and it overrides all the other passwords. I was hoping it would stop all my account reminders at every whip and flip - but it doesn't.

Firstly, although it usually runs o.k for about 72 days, how should I set my accounts up properly ?

Do I ditch M.Password ?

Do I delete every account one at a time, and re enter them ?

I tried to have the same P.W for each account, but a) some of them won't take it and b) the reminders would still come.

I can't understand why TB gives these reminders, when all my P.Ws are o.k at Outlook.

thank you for your time.

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The Master password, as already stated, just prevents access to any email passwords you saved in Thunderbird. It does not override the need to enter your email passwords. If you saved the email passwords in Thunderbird it will enter them for you. Otherwise you have to enter them yourself. It will not do what you hoped. It is optional. Do as you like with it.

Thunderbird does not have anything to do with this 72 day recycle you keep talking about.

Thunderbird does not issue any kind of message telling you to change your password. It will deliver any message that your providers server issues.

Outlook email is following in gmails steps in declaring the entire world except for them as less secure. This is mostly bogus and just an attempt to get you to only use their web mail site so they can push ads in front of you when checking your mail. Have you checked the boxes to Allow less Secure Apps at the Outlook site. This is more likely your issue than chasing this 72 day password ghost.

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There have been hundreds of others asking about this over the years, so it isn't just me. I'll pursue MS again and if I get anything worthwhile, i'll put it on here for others. Thanks again for your help.

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Care to point to the links of the hundreds asking this before? I have been volunteering on this forum for 5 years and this is the first time I have seen anything about recycling the password every 72days.

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It looks like the forced change is also built into Windows 10. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-force-users-change-their-password-periodically-windows-10

Whatever is doing it it is not Thunderbird. Your time would be better spent at a Microsoft forum asking how to work their email or operating system.